Wolf Conservation Center

Founded in 1999, the Wolf Conservation Center (WCC) in South Salem, New York is a non-profit organization that promotes wolf conservation by teaching about wolves, their relationship to the environment, and the human role in protecting their future. In addition to her dedication in founding the Wolf Center, Hélène Grimaud has become a global advocate for wolves. In Hélène’s words, wolves are not only essential “biodiversity engineers,” preserving balances among animal and plant species but also “endlessly fascinating creatures who have much to teach humans.”

The WCC participates in the Species Survival Plan (SSP) and Recovery Plan for two critically endangered wolf species, the Mexican gray wolf (Canis lupus baileyi) and the red wolf (Canis rufus). The Mexican gray wolf and the red wolf are among the rarest mammals in North America, both species at one time were completely extinct in the wild. Presently there are approximately 400 Mexican gray wolves and 300 red wolves remaining in the world, the majority living within the network of facilities like the WCC.